An Afternoon Out With The Kids and a Slow Weekend

It has been a very long time since I have enjoyed an afternoon out with the kids. Today, I bit the bullet and decided to take Ben and Amy to our local cinema to see the new Star Wars movie “The Clone Wars“. It took a bit of preparation as I knew that I might not be able to sit down for the entire movie, so I made sure that I had some painkillers on hand to make sure that I didn’t spoil anyones fun.

Ben and I cooked popcorn before we went, and took two water bottles as well. Thank goodness we did because the equivalent at the cinema would have cost us about $15! I drove the Hybrid to the shopping centre which was only a 5 minute drive, but would have taken us about an hour at the pace I walk at this stage in my recovery. We met Amy outside of her workplace, I took the painkillers, and then proceed to the box office. I couldn’t believe the price of the tickets! It has been a long time, over a year in fact!

The movie was pretty good, but it might have been because I started feeling spaced out after about 10 minutes. Ben and Amy enjoyed it, and because I was so zonked out, and didn’t feel the pain as I expected, it was a bit of a trip. Nice colours man! Amy drove home, mainly because I was still out there, a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. We told Kim all about the movie, whilst helping finish off the dinner preparation.

It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, and we managed to save a fair bit of money by taking our own drinks and snacks. By the looks of things, I think we were the only ones that actually thought ahead. The snack bar was packed and I didn’t realise that people get sucked into buying all of that junk food, when they can walk 200 metres into the shopping centre and get it for a third of the price! Maybe it has to do with the total movie experience, or I am just not willing to fork out my hard earned cash on crap. Frugal to the core.

Even though we are strapped for cash this month, I still managed put some aside to celebrate (or commiserate) the 1st anniversary of my back injury by doing something I wouldn’t have normally done (sit down). The kids enjoyed it as well, and it was a great feeling to do something for them for a change, as they have been doing everything for me during the acute phase of this last relapse whilst I was flat on my back.

Oh, speaking of backs, I forget to mention my visit to my neurosurgeon on Friday. The news was good as far as I was concerned. The MRI showed that there has been no further injury, other than the original disc bulge. Mr Maartens mentioned that a year is still a short time in the scheme of things for this type of injury and there maybe further relapses to come before it fully heals. So now we have finished what I am calling Plan A.

We both agreed to treat it conservatively for another 12 months, if that’s what it takes, (I hope it heals before then), but there is a surgical operation if I really get desperate and if the pain gets worse. Apparently they can fuse the L5/S1 vertebrate from the front to relieve the disc bulge from pressing against the nerve roots that have been giving me the back and leg pain. We called that plan C.

Plan B, which I will begin working towards now, is an exercise rehab program that my work is paying for. It will help me build up my leg muscles and develop core muscle strength. I will be starting the program at the end of August, all being well of course. I am looking forward to it, because I know that this will help speed up my recovery, and get me back to work so I can get stuck into some interesting assignments. I will also be able to do more around the garden, but I certainly won’t be doing any heavy lifting for a very long time, even after the back is fully repaired. I will just have to find a different way of doing things.

Unfortunately, after the smashing success of last weeks home movie Eco Boy, I didn’t get to do much work on The Eco Boy – Episode 2, but at least I have the story board mostly finished. We will have to film it next weekend. Sorry about that for all the die hard fans of the wee lad. Ben took a copy of the episode that I burned onto DVD to show his class as his monthly school project on Friday. All the kids in his class loved it, so I am told, especially the bit where Butch the Wonder Dog makes an appearance and the word Poo. Ben said they all laughed really loud, and his teacher had to rewind it again and again.

I also didn’t do much in the way of gardening this weekend, (still waiting for the seed order to arrive), but I made two wicked curries on Friday night, and a great Minestrone soup in the pressure cooker last night. I used home grown herbs for the soup, and some dried birds eye chillies in the curries. Nice and spicy, and full of flavour. I love cooking with home grown ingredients, but enjoy eating the meal even more!

Not a very green weekend, but certainly a cheap one!

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About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Comments

Mate,Plan A with a slow intergration of plan B sounds good for your back. Plan C however, must be viewed as an option not to be jumped at and only be considered if your quality of lfe means losing a little movement vs damaging youself further by masking the injury with constant pain killers.

Remember that you have friends and we will help all we can.

Glad to see you got out of the house and spent some time with the kids. Did Kim go too ?.

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About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

Always inspiring and entertaining!

August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

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July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do.
Thanks Gavin, love it!!

Well worth your time to tune in

October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast !
I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to.
Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

very good

June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

opened my eyes

May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

A wonderful show!

Inspiring

April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

Green Living, inspiring and practical

January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

Local food equals less waste

December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

Honestly australian

December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

Morning motivation

December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

Passionate Advocate

October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

Gavin speaks from the heart

October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

Green thoughts, so well iterated

October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

Easy listening inspiration on being green

September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

Thanks Gavin!

August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm

August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

Green Podcasts

July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

Practical ideas and inspiration

July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

Interesting & easy to listen to

April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

Great green listen

April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese